Stoker's Treatment Of Women In Dracula

In 1897 Bram Stoker published a book titled Dracula, meaning “dragon” in Romanian. The book astonished many, and to this day continues to. Though having endured over a century of thought the book still shows an intriguing look on female sexuality in the time period of which it was written. The book follows a group of people involved in the wraths of Count Dracula. Throughout the book marriage and relationships are encountered, and are the binding cause in the book, essentially provoking many of the problems encountered. Dracula reveals society’s belief of the two sides of women, the societal “axiom” of behavior in men and women, as well as the obligations to obtain marital status and find security in it.

In Dracula, Stoker displayed what society

thought of women-- two sided. During this time period women were perceived in one of two ways, either a gracious, motherly figure, or a submitting “lady of the evening”. Men would often compare them and stereotype women into one of the categories. When confronted by the three Brides of Dracula the main character, Jonathan Harker did so. “I am alone in the castle with those awful women. Faugh! Mina is a woman, and there is nought in common. They are devils of the Pit!” (Stoker 59). Men also believed being involved with a woman of the nymphomaniacal sort was degrading to the unadulterated masculine agenda. On page 60 Stoker wrote, “At least God’s mercy is better than that of these monsters, and the precipice is steep and high. At its foot a man may sleep-- as a man.” Yet at the same time, commiserating women were not allowed to change. On page 100 Mina Murray, Jonathan’s fiancée, made a remark about this. “I believe we should have shocked the ‘New Woman’ with our appetites”¹ (Stoker).
Stoker also put light on the issue of gender expectations.

The putative man was to be decisive, strong, and courageous, yet women were expected to be virginal, sweet, and motherly. Dr. Van Helsing himself praises Mina for her meeting of the Victorian requirements to be considered a “woman”. “She is one of God’s women, fashioned by His own hand to show us men and other women that there is a heaven where we can enter, and that its light can be here on earth. So true, so sweet, so noble, so little an egoist-- and that, let me tell you, is much in this age, so sceptical and selfish” (Stoker 203). There is also the presupposition that only a true “man” may be of obligation to a woman. “A brave man’s blood is the best thing on this earth when a woman is in trouble. You’re a man, and no mistake. Well, the devil may work against us for all he’s worth, but God sends us men when we want them” (Stoker 163). However, when a woman had characteristics of a “man”, or a man had characteristics of a “woman”, it was deemed either a force to be reckoned with, or regarded with great stupefaction. When a man is presumed to submit to a more feminine action it is typically a moment of humiliation, as seen on page 245. Stoker wrote, “I suppose there is something in woman’s nature that makes a man free to break down before her and express his feelings on the tender or emotional side without feeling it derogatory to his manhood; for when Lord Godalming found himself alone with me he sat down on the

sofa and gave way utterly and openly.” Yet, when a woman is bound with a “more superior” masculine trait it is met with astoundment. Van Helsing made a remark about Mina’s gracious gift on page 251, “Ah, that wonderful Madam Mina! She has man’s brain-- a brain that a man should have were he much gifted-- and woman’s heart. The good God fashioned her for a purpose, believe me, when He made that so good combination” (Stoker).
In Dracula it was clearly evident that being married was a requirement to fully function as a member in society, especially for women.

Before wedding to a husband a woman often viewed themselves as a weak figure, and that only a man can provide safety and security. Lucy Westenra, Mina’s dearest friend, thought so too. “I supposed that we women are such cowards that we think a man will save us from fears, and we marry him” (Stoker 65). Yet once married women often expected their marriage to be very stereotypical and live up to the standard expectation. “A woman ought to tell her husband everything-- don’t you think so, dear?” ( Stoker 64). During the time period men were clearly thought of as higher beings, and because of this marriage was often seen as a way of getting to a closer equilibrium between members of the opposite sex. Women often were very guilty if they didn’t marry someone they felt as an equal to. Stoker wrote, “My dear Mina, why are men so noble when we women are so little worthy of them? Here was I almost making fun of this greathearted, true gentleman. I burst into tears-- I am afraid, my dear, you will think think this a very sloppy letter in more ways than one-- and I really felt very badly. Why can’t they let a girl marry three men, or as many as want her, and save all this trouble?”

(66).
Through writing Dracula, Bram Stoker showed the world its flaws and the story is still doing so today. In a time period in which women and men were treated incommensurately, this tale brought a new view on life to the common people. Stoker brought light to gender stereotypes and expectations, displayed the tacit requirement of plighting one’s troth, and elaborated on the fatuousness of the view on women only being one of two types of people.